Daily & Latest Current Affairs in 2025

Correct Answer :   Richard Verma

---

Former US Ambassador to India "Richard Verma" has been sworn in as the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, making him the highest-ranking Indian-American ever in the State Department.

* The Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources is often referred to as the Chief Operating Officer of the State Department.

* A lawyer, diplomat and executive, Verma (54) was confirmed by the US Senate by a vote of 67-26 last month.

* Verma, who served as the US Ambassador to India from January 16, 2015, to January 20, 2017, was till now the Chief Legal Officer and Head of Global Public Policy at Mastercard.

* During the Barack Obama administration, Verma also served as Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs.

* Earlier in his career, he was the National Security Advisor to US Senator Harry Reid while he was Democratic whip, Minority Leader and then-Majority Leader of the United States Senate.

* He has served as Vice Chairman of The Asia Group, Partner and Senior Counselor at Steptoe & Johnson LLP, and Senior Counselor at the Albright Stonebridge Group. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served on active duty as a Judge Advocate.

* Verma, who was born in 1968 to an Indian immigrant, grew up in Pennsylvania.

* He attended a private college on a US Air Force scholarship. He earned a BS at Lehigh University, a JD Cum Laude at American University, an LLM with distinction at Georgetown University Law Center, and a PhD at Georgetown University..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo

---

Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo has taken over as president of National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on Thursday (6th April 2023).

* The governing body of the NRAI on Thursday (6th April 2023) unanimously approved the elevation of its senior vice-president  Kalikesh N Singh Deo after being informed that President  Raninder Singh has gone on a long leave.

* The same is in accordance with Rule 19 of the Rules and Regulations in the NRAI constitution. The matter of Raninder’s election and tenure continues to remain sub-judice in the Delhi High Court. The virtual emergent meeting of the governing body was attended by 29 of the 35 members and was concluded in approximately 40 minutes.

* Singh Deo will perform all functions and duties of the president. The Sports Ministry had conveyed to the NRAI to comply with the president’s 12-year tenure provision of the National Sports Code.

* Accepting his responsibilities Mr. Singh Deo said, “I humbly accept the responsibility bestowed upon me by the governing body and the trust shown upon me by the president. Our immediate priorities lie in putting our best foot forward for important upcoming events like the Asian Games and the World Championships.”

* The team at NRAI and myself will look to work very closely with the Government of India, the Sports Ministry, the Sports Authority of India and all other key stakeholders, to ensure our sport brings greater laurels for the country going forward he added..

Source : The States Man

Correct Answer :   1% to 1.7%

---

The World Trade Organization (WTO) on Wednesday (5th April 2023) has raised its projection for global trade growth in 2023 from 1% to 1.7%.

* This updated outlook indicates that the global economy is expected to recover faster than previously anticipated. However, the risks associated with these persistent issues remain, and could still impact the growth trajectory of the global trade landscape.

* Despite an upward revision in the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) growth forecast for 2023, the global trade body has cautioned that the trade growth is expected to remain subpar due to multiple factors. These factors include ongoing conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, stubbornly high inflation, tighter monetary policy, and financial uncertainty.

World Trade Growth: Below the 12-year average : The projected trade growth of 1.7% for 2023 is also below the 12-year average of 2.6%, which has been the norm since the global financial crisis in 2008.

Covid Relaxation and Banking systems Failure :

* However, the WTO has noted that the relaxation of COVID-19 pandemic controls in China is expected to “unleash pent-up consumer demand” in the country and contribute to the boost in international trade.

* WTO Chief Economist Ralph Ossa has also warned that interest rate hikes in advanced economies have revealed weaknesses in banking systems that could lead to wider financial instability if left unchecked. He emphasized the need for governments and regulators to remain alert to these and other financial risks in the coming months.

World Trade Organization (WTO): Trade growth to rebound :

* Amid the uncertainties and risks facing global trade, there is some positive news as the World Trade Organization (WTO) expects trade growth to rebound to 3.2% in 2024. However, this estimate remains uncertain and heavily dependent on the outcome of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine...

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   anti-India

---

India on Tuesday (4th April 2023) slammed the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for its “communal mindset” and “anti-India” agenda.

* India’s strong reaction came after the OIC secretariat issued a statement alleging targeting of the Muslim community in several states in India during Ram Navami processions.

* External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi condemned the statement issued by the OIC.

* “We strongly condemn the statement issued by OIC Secretariat today(4th April 2023) regarding India. This is one more example of their communal mindset and anti-India agenda,” Bagchi said.

* The OIC only does its reputation damage by being consistently manipulated by anti-India forces...

Source : Tribune India

Correct Answer :   Amit Shah

---

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti 6th April 2023 unveiled a 54-feet-tall statue of Lord Hanuman at Sarangpur temple in Botad district, Gujarat.

* The statue, made of bronze, was installed at the Hanuman temple in Shah’s hometown, Naranpura, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

* The statue, which stands on a 48-feet-tall pedestal, has been built at a cost of around Rs 30 crore ($4 million USD) by the Hanuman Seva Samiti, a trust associated with the temple. It is said to be one of the tallest statues of Lord Hanuman in the world.

* The statue has been placed in the temple’s backyard, over a 1,35,000 square feet area. The temple is dedicated to Lord Kashtabhanjan, another avatar of Lord Hanuman.

* The newly inaugurated statue weighs 30,000 kg and is visible from a  distance of seven kilometers. Five different metals (panchdhatu) were used in its construction.

* The total diameter of the base is 754 feet while the internals have been crafted from steel. The statue is truly a marvel of modern engineering and is earthquake resistant.

* Mr. Shah also inaugurated the new Community Kitchen of the temple today which can serve nearly 4 thousand pilgrims at a time.

* Amit Shah is in Gujarat 6th April 2023 to attend many events celebrating the 44th foundation day of the BJP. He emphasised the importance of the Sarangpur temple saying that thousands of people visit the temple.

* Reminding people that this year's Hanuman Jayanti and BJP's foundation day are coinciding, he chronicled the journey of the BJP from an electorally small force in the country to getting the majority on its own in Parliament.

* "Today it's a coincidence that it is Hanuman Jayanti as well as BJP Sthapana day. On 6 April 1980, people were making fun of the party but today BJP is the ruling government in various states and the party has more than 400 MPs..

Correct Answer :   Jharkhand

---

Jharkhand minister Jagarnath Mahto died on Thursday (6th April 2023) at a hospital in Chennai where he was undergoing treatment, a senior doctor of the health facility said. He was 56.

* Mr Mahto, the minister for school education and literacy, was airlifted to Chennai last month due to health complications. He had undergone a lung transplant in November 2020 after suffering from COVID-19.

* He is survived by a son and four daughters.

* Mr Mahto, the four-time JMM MLA from Dumri in Giridih district, was taken to Chennai in October 2020, where he had undergone the transplant as his lungs were damaged due to the COVID-19 infection.

* Jagarnath Mahto, also known as Tiger Mahto or Tiger Jagarnath Da, was a cabinet minister and politician from Jharkhand, India. He served as a legislator for the Dumri Vidhan Sabha district under the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha party.

* Mahto was born on January 1, 1967, in the Alargo village of Bokaro District in Jharkhand. He dropped out of high school and attended Nehru High School in 1995 before leaving his studies to pursue a career in politics.

* Mahto had represented the Dumri Assembly seat since 2000, which has been a stronghold of the JMM party. In the 2014 Assembly elections, he won the seat with 77,984 votes, defeating his closest opponent from the BJP party...

Source : NDTV

Correct Answer :   Bihar

---

Bihar's famous 'Marcha Rice' which is known for its aroma and palatability was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, according to the GI registry.

* Marcha is a short indigenous cultivar of rice found in West Champaran district of Bihar. By its size and shape, its grain appears like black pepper so it is known as 'Mircha' (pepper in Hindi) or 'Marcha Rice'.

* The Journal of GI Registry said it has accepted the application seeking the GI tag for the rice.

* A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

* It (the rice) is also known as Mircha, Marchaiya, Marichaetc locally. Plants, grains and flakes have a unique aroma that makes it different.

* Expressing happiness over the development, Bihar agriculture minister told, "This will further boost the production of Marcha Rice. It will also help farmers, engaged in the cultivation of Marcha rice, get a decent price for their produce".

* The major growing areas of Marcha rice include Mainatand, Gaunaha, Narkatiyaganj, Ramnagar and Chanpatiya blocks of West Champaran district...

Source : India Times

Correct Answer :   Tsutsumu Otani

---

Japanese auto major Honda Motor Co Ltd on Wednesday (5th April 2023) appointed Tsutsumu Otani as the President, CEO & Managing Director of Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India.

* He is currently the Vice President at Honda Motor Co., Japan. Tsutsumu Otani will succeed Atsushi Ogata, who returns to Shanghai, China as the Executive General Manager at Shanghai Branch, Honda Motor (China) Investment Co. Ltd. with effect from 1 April, 2023, said the company in a statement.

* Otani was appointed as Executive General Manager in 2022, Shanghai Branch Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd. He started his career with Honda Japan in 1997 and held several leadership positions in the company's business in different global markets.

* Ogata had spearheaded Honda's Indian two-wheeler operations for three years.

* The company also announced the elevation of Vinay Dhingra, who was earlier Director – General & Corporate Affairs, Strategic Information System and Honda India Foundation, HMSI, as the Senior Director – Human Resource and Administration, Corporate Affairs, Information Technology and Honda India Foundation.

* Besides, the company said Yogesh Mathur, previously Operating Officer Sales and Marketing) and Sanjeev Jain, earlier Operating Officer - New Model Purchase & Parts Strategy, are now elevated to the Board of Directors of Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI)...

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   6.50%

---

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday (6th April 2023) announced its decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5%.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) had decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5% with readiness to act should the situation warrant so.

* Since May last year, the RBI has raised the repo rate six times to control runaway inflation.

* The RBI projected inflation to be at 5.2 per cent in the financial year 2023-24, and at 5.1 per cent in first quarter of the fiscal.

* The RBI governor "Shaktikanta Das" said the current financial year pointed towards softening of inflation. The war against inflation will continue until there is a durable decline, he said.

* Repo rate is the rate at which the RBI lends money to banks, and any change in it affects bank loans and EMIs.

* Shaktikanta Das said the global economy is facing a renewed phase of turbulence and the RBI will remain focused on withdrawal of monetary policy accommodation. He said the policy decisions taken in May 2022 are still working through the system and the current policy rate remains accommodative.

* The banking and non-banking financial system remains healthy and India's economic activity remains resilient with an expected growth of 7% in the ongoing financial year.

* The RBI also marginally raised the GDP growth projection for FY24 to 6.5% from the earlier estimate of 6.4%.

* Shaktikanta Das said economic activity remained resilient and the economy was expected to grow at 7%..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Subby Subramaniam

---

British-Hindu Murugesvaran 'Subby' Subramaniam has been appointed as Warrant Officer of the UK's Royal Air Force, the aerial warfare and space force announced on Wednesday (5th April 2023).

In his new role, Subramaniam will advise the Chief of the Air Staff on matters concerning airmen and airwomen of the RAF. He succeeds Warrant Officer Jake Alpert.

About the Subramaniam : Subramaniam is an Air and Space Operations Manager, whose service in the last 15 years has predominantly been in the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS), Missile Warning (MW), Space Domain Awareness (SDA), and Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) field.

* He has served in the Royal Engineers with 106 Field Squadron/12 Force (Air) Support Group, 36 Engineering Regiment prior to joining the Royal Air Force in 1998.

* In 2007 Subramaniam spent the next three years at Air Command Bunker dealing with pan-government resilience operations, and he also gained Missile Warning Operator and Data Links Network Manager qualifications.

* In 2021, he was appointed as the inaugural Command Warrant Officer to the United Kingdom Space Command.

* Subramaniam was educated in Malaysia until the age of 19, he earned a Bachelor of Law and a Diploma in Higher Education in Finance and Legal Studies. He is an active member of a charity foundation, and currently studying for his Master in Business Administration Risk and Resilience at Buckinghamshire New University...

Source : The News Men